Chapter 30

December 28, T.A 2940

Dawn

Anariel rose slowly from the bed she had been attempting to rest upon, though she tried with every ounce of her being to rest that night nothing came of it. It was a useless futile attempt. Her mind was far too occupied. Occupied by thoughts of Feren, she began to warm to the idea that this love was true requited love but she couldn't, not even for a second, allow herself to go further in such matters. She had made a promise, to find herself first and foremost. To be whole, comfortable, and beyond all, happy alone. While it was true that her heart ached and her body seemed to shake and her breath seemed shallow and weak with what felt all too much like heartbreak, she refused to go to him. And she would not go to him, not yet. When the time was right and she felt sure that she would no longer just be a half, a part of something never really feeling whole unless with him, then she wanted no part it.

Her feet carried her away from the bed, a hand falling on the door frame opening wide onto the balcony. Her eyes scanned the valley below, she watched the leaves rustling in the breeze, as she breathed in the cool winter's air. Listened to the water cascading down the mountainside, her eyes scanned the arbours and walkways knowing that she was going to miss these lands.

Being prepared to leave Imraldis was one thing. It was a simple matter of dressing for, what would be a long horse ride. Readying her belongings, to ensure everything was as it should be. All things most others did for her.

But, being prepared to return to Eryn Galen was a whole other story. A nerve-wracking, terrifying story. She had accepted, confirmed with the king she would be the princess she was and this small piece of freedom would cease to be. She still had no clue what it meant to be a princess, the near thought of returning knowing such, made her nauseous, biting her lip in fear.

This was it.

Shoving herself away from the balcony, forcing her eyes away from the scene she readied herself for this journey.

Anariel could do nothing but stand in the silence of her chambers staring down at the circlet before her. Her hand's unwilling shook, it was the last thing she had to do before leaving, she could have easily had one of many handmaidens place it on her head for her. No. Not this time. This time, she had to walk these halls out to the stables beside the king and prince ride at the head of the lines leading all of their people home. This time she returned home as a princess. This time she accepted everything, that she is and isn't.

A smile graced her lips as her eyes fluttered closed briefly somehow, though she knew that meant losing her freedom, she was happy to return.

"Arduil vaer."

Anariel turned around at the sound of her Haldir's voice, "Arduil vaer," she replied as he came to stand beside her, chuckling at his quirked eyebrow.

"I didn't realize you and the king have been keeping up on your Sindarin lessons," Haldir said as he leaned against door frame surprised that she understood him.

"We haven't, actually, I took to reading in my past time. Or rather studying, I suppose, if it was Sindarin I read more history. Besides, admittedly I felt so out of place, not know more of our language so I had to keep trying, what sort of princess would I make if I can't even speak with half of the people." Anariel glanced towards Haldir, shaking her head. "It sounds foolish, I know but I've gone and agreed to this, I have to try. In Bree, I had to rely on Anarion to relay my own apology to the others, and it should have been me full heartedly speaking to them and I cannot. There is literally this barrier that already stands against me and I will break it, I have to…" Anariel sighed, nibbling on the corner of her lip her head falling to her chest a tear running along her cheek, "Look, I know it must sound stupid too-"

"It doesn't," Haldir interrupted closing the distances between himself and the princess. "You face a problem, and seek to fix it…Strive to. It is not foolish." Haldir hooked a finger beneath her chin raising her head high once more, the pad of this thumb wiping away her tears. "You will serve your people well, no matter how you chose to do so. You will be a remarkable princess," Haldir paused with a smile, stepping away from her. "You already are. You will win the hearts and loyalty of all your people."

"Haldir…"

"It is true," he continued, sensing the uncertainty that lingered in her voice. "You won me over," Haldir spoke sincerely in the quietness of the empty chamber, looking her in the eye.

A smile broke out upon her full pink lips, warming her entire face more than the sun ever could hope to as it cascading through the windows enlightening her near golden hair speckled in stubborn strands that lingered dark like the shadows still.

"We should go," Haldir spoke suddenly hearing the neighing of a horse in the distances, remembering the reason he had come up here for in the first place. "Everyone is prepared to leave, they await only you."

"Oh," Anariel glanced away towards the circlet once more.

"I will meet you by the stables, my lady," Haldir bowed as he exited the chambers his eyes lingering on her through the doorway until she was out of sight.

Thranduil, despite trying to keep his calm, found himself near pacing in anger. She was doing this on purpose. Despite everything, how far they had come.

"Adar, perhaps there is a logical explanation. Surely, you do not believe Anariel is doing this purposefully," Legolas insisted on his sister's behalf, as he looked at his father growing more impatient with every passing minute.

Everyone was ready to leave, prepared to set out on their journey to Mirkwood and she could hardly manage to get here on time. Legolas noticed Haldir return though Anariel was not with him, his eyes narrowed as he watched him enter the stable in an almost trance light state.

"Then where is she?" Thranduil snarled whipping his head away from his son, his hair flying out behind him in the wind. With his head held high the king stalked to his daughter's chambers, he was done waiting she knew they had to leave. If they didn't leave soon they would have to travel through the night, as he would not force his company to make camp beneath the moon unable to properly check if the area was clear.

Thranduil rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks, eyes widened as he watched her.

Legolas close behind slid to a halt, his own eyes landed on his sister before shooting an accusing look towards his father.

She stood with her back to them, the circlet lightly held between her fingertips, looking at herself in the mirror that stood before her a single tear slid down her cheek... "I can do this," Her voice was soft and meek barely audible over the gusting wind blowing through the leaves.

Thranduil sighed, stomach flipping as he looked to his daughter he had thought the worst and had been wrong about her. It was clear she was nervous, fearful and he had thought so little to think she was being nothing but spiteful. Thranduil knocked lightly catching her attention, he smiled waiting patiently as she nodded taking a deep breath she placed the circlet upon her head.

Thranduil held out his hand for her to take, Anariel hesitated a small voice auguring the gesture in the back of her mind, shaking it away she accepted her father's hand allowing him to lead the way. She was happy she did when she heard him speak, Legolas coming to her side.

"We will do this, together," Thranduil paused taking the hands of both his children, "We return to our realm, a family, whatever we face, whatever our kingdom faces, we face together."

Anariel and Legolas bowed their heads respectfully, smiles gracing their lips. "Together."

Author's Note; Sorry this chapter took so long! Writer's Block! And I have begun the process of my newest cosplay. Laiqualassiel on Instagram and FB, if you guys want to check it out, just in planning stages.

Thank you

Bratstopmom- She absolutely does! Hope you enjoyed this update!

ElectricTouch

Silanadh

JustWeridLikeThat

Porzelinchen- Sorry, mellon, for the broken heart. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Feren did leave already.